I could tell she had cabin fever, but for the most part seemed to have been managing her new clean life pretty well. After seven more days I could see more color in her skin, and her face was already beginning to fill out. Only time would tell if she’d be able to remain in control, but at least she was off to a good start.

After the service for Brant, she opened up a bit. Her conversations were friendlier, and she seemed to be trying to get along with me.

While the Cassie situation was handled, I worked my ass off to make sure all I’s were dotted, and t’s crossed. I couldn’t take the chance of someone like Rockefeller James going free. So far we’d uncovered three residences involved in the cyber theft. It totaled thirteen arrests, some people as young as sixteen being involved. Tammy, who’d divulged all of the necessary information we needed, had been transferred to a women’s facility. She’d remain there until she was given a fair trial. She’d given us the location of the body drop James had used when he murdered the roommate before Cassie lived there. If I hadn’t been around to save her, she could have been his next victim. I wouldn’t have been able to live with a clear conscience if that were to have happened.

Work was consuming me, and I knew once all the documents were filed I’d be due for a vacation. I’d been working countless hours to put these people away, and now that they’d been detained, I could put in for some R and R.

Since I knew Cassie wouldn’t be sticking around forever, I decided to go against her wishes and plan a trip to North Carolina. Even with us getting along, I knew this wasn’t where she needed to be. I didn’t intend on telling her where we were going until we were too far along for her to argue about it.

She needed to be back with her family, because without them she’d slip. I was one-hundred percent sure of it. There were too many hard feelings for her to not dwell on them.

I didn’t hint about the road trip to her until the day before we were to leave. She’d been staying with me for almost a month, and still not talked about her future. She was a smart girl, who knew how to manipulate her way out of situations she didn’t want to be in, so I had to be discreet. Once I’d packed for myself, and made arrangements to stop at a hotels in between, I manage to slip several of her things into a bag. It was going to be a three day road trip, and Cassie probably wasn’t going to like it very much.

It was a shame, because the more I got to know her, the better I felt about us being friends. She was great, attractive, and full of potential.

It was the morning of, and a last minute decision changed my plans to tell Cassie where we were headed.

I’d come home from work, after making sure all was taken care of for the next couple weeks while I’d be off, and found dinner on the table. She’d ordered takeout with money she’d had in her bank account. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I ordered a bit of everything.” There were five oriental boxes sitting open. I could see rice, and even lo-Mein noodles, as well as different types of meats and sauces. “I know you like spicy things so I took a chance and went for everything hot. Is that okay? Maybe I should have called first. I just thought it could be a good peace offering. I’m tired of holding a grudge, Logan. You’re helping me, and I have to stop being angry at things I can’t change. You’re obviously a good person; always looking out for others. I’m sorry for being hardheaded.”

I couldn’t help from smiling. “We’re good. I figured you’d come around eventually.” I sat down before continuing. “Now, as far as this food goes, I’ll have a little bit of everything.”

She seemed thrilled I was in a good mood. I was just glad she’d finally come to her senses and realized I was trying to do right by her.

Our conversation was nice as we ate. She talked about going back to work, and how she wanted to look for something more permanent. There was even a short amount of time where she talked about her jobs back home, and how she probably couldn’t find something with farming experience in Vegas. Little did she know I was about to take her home; where she belonged. It was for the best. If she decided it wasn’t what she wanted, at least she’d be forced to face the people who I knew still loved her.

“So, it’s funny you’re being so nice to me. I’m about to go on a road trip, and I could use the company if you’re interested. I have a package that needs to be hand delivered. It’s a lot of driving, and I get tired. Would you be interested in going with me?” She could have said no, but I had a feeling since I hadn’t let her leave the house she’d be itching to go anywhere.

“It sounds cool. When we came here I didn’t get to stop in many places. Do you think we could stop a few times?”

“I don’t see why not. I don’t have to be back for two weeks.”

She was giddy with excitement. “We can take turns driving. Maybe we could switch every five hours or something. Do you know where we’re headed?”

This was another opportunity I had to divulge the truth, but I chose to lie because I knew she’d flip out and go back to hating me. In total, Cassie had been with me for almost three weeks. Even though we’d done little communicating, I had gotten to know her more. It was my job to read people. Aside from getting healthier, she seemed more relaxed, probably because for the first time in months she was safe. She didn’t have to worry about someone coming after her. I’d done my job, and protected the life of an innocent woman.

“Two weeks on the road. You might want to kill me after the first couple of days. I always have to pee a lot when I’m in a car.”

“No worries. I’ll limit your beverage intake to prevent accidents and frequent stops. We’ll manage just fine.”

When we finished eating Cassie ran in her bedroom to pack. I sent a few emails and prepared the house for our trip, including a note for Charlie. With my line of work she liked to know when I’d be gone on business. I don’t know if she just worried, or wanted to have some crazy nudist party while I was gone. Either way, I didn’t need to know.

We got on the road when it was starting to get dark. Cassie, who’d gotten a new phone, played a game on it silently. I got the feeling she was still uncomfortable in my presence. It was funny to see her around the house, wearing comfortable little shorts and tank tops. When we’d run into each other in the hallway or kitchen she’d cover herself up, like I’d be offended or something. I didn’t act any differently around her though. If I wanted to walk around in only a pair of shorts, I had every right to. It was my house, and I wasn’t going to pretend to be someone else just to appease someone. If they didn’t like the real me, they weren’t worth my time.

Cassie was different than any other woman I’d met. She was the complete opposite from Charlie. She was sweet and generous. She enjoyed doing things for people, and I felt like she was genuinely sorry for all the things she’d done when she was using drugs and caught up in the lifestyle her boyfriend had introduced her to. I knew for a fact she’d been taking better care of herself. She had Charlie pick up certain toiletries she liked to use, and the smell of her sweet skin after a shower made me think inappropriate thoughts when I laid in bed alone at night. I couldn’t deny how attractive she was. I’d be a fool to pretend it didn’t exist, but it was a fine line I didn’t want to cross. Cassie would always picture me as an agent, not a regular guy she might have something in common with, and I certainly didn’t want her to think I’d invited her into my home because I wanted a side piece. That’s not why I did it at all.

Maybe one day she’d be able to thank me for what I’d done for her. I suppose it would have to be enough. I’d rather her appreciate me for being professional, than slip up and have her hate me forever.